Pavilion talks continue

KENNEBUNK — Debate over a community pavilion, proposed to be built in downtown Kennebunk, is continuing.

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By Jennifer Feals

seacoastonline.com

By Jennifer Feals

Posted Apr. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Jennifer Feals

Posted Apr. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

KENNEBUNK — Debate over a community pavilion, proposed to be built in downtown Kennebunk, is continuing.

During a March 25 meeting, the Board of Selectmen continued discussion of a potential open-sided pavilion at 51 Main St., which would serve as an all-season activity center.

While it is not required, the board had previously discussed taking the proposal to voters, but no decision was made during the Tuesday, March 25 meeting as not all members of the board were present. Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said such a decision may not come until the group's April 22 meeting.

The idea for the pavilion follows the creation last year of the Waterhouse Youth Endowment Fund, by resident Geraldine Waterhouse and her granddaughter Paige Herr, who made a $1.5 million donation to that endowment. While the endowment was created to support youth opportunities downtown, particularly the ice skating rink that has been set up at 51 Main St. the past few winters, the pavilion is proposed to be funded through community support and donations.

Tibbetts said construction of the pavilion is estimated to cost $680,000 and that a remaining $160,000 needs to be raised to meet that cost. There are several residents, businesses and grant donors still deciding on whether to contribute to the project, he said.

"I think we are going to get really close to where we need to be, but I won't have that number for a couple of weeks. From my perspective, as I've gone out and talked with different businesses and residents there's been a large base of support," Tibbetts said. "There are a lot of specific businesses I've talked with and areas they are willing to donate their time and energy towards."

An option is to fund the $160,000 gap, Tibbetts said, through TIF (Tax Increment Financing district) revenues, potentially even temporarily while the final potential donors consider their contributions. Tibbetts said the board would have the authority to expend TIF funds for the project and that the funds could be used because the project is allowing economic activity.

"Where they don't have the decision authority is when it involves bonding or borrowing money," Tibbetts said. "That building will not be exclusively used by the town. When we allow any kind of economic activity to happen, we are allowed to use TIF funds to support that."

The board previously voted during a meeting in late January to approve the plan for the pavilion, subject to final fundraising, and to use $60,000 from the Route 1 North/downtown TIF district as a contingency.

Tibbetts said he also envisions revenue producing opportunities through the pavilion, like advertising, vendors and special events.

Selectwoman Deb Beal said she doesn't believe the project will bring revenue with the town and said the remaining $160,000 needed to fund the project is "still a big number."

"That's where my heartburn lies. Do I agree with the project, I do. Do I think that it's important and vital and would be wonderful downtown? I do," she said. "To take $160,000, that causes me a little bit of heartburn."

The project sparked debate amongst board members, with Dick Morin saying the plan is "stepping on private enterprise," and Kevin Donovan stating general government has an "obligation to the citizenry to provide certain things to the public."

"People don't call my home for obvious reasons, however, they do see me at Hannaford and around and everyone has a comment about what's going on with the skating rink. I think it's because it becomes almost a focus of a community area," Donovan said. "I would posture and say well if it isn't local governments business to do this, then whose is it? Who has come forward with an idea this broad and acceptable to most of the people and the answer is no one."

But residents who spoke during last week's meeting, supported the idea.

Kennebunk resident, Brenda Robinson, told the board she feels the project is so important for the Kennebunk community that she would loan the town the final $160,000 needed to make the pavilion a reality.

"I'm about to inherit some money and I am willing to loan the town the $160,000. I am willing to back the project because I believe in it. Because I know it will make a difference," she said.

While Tibbetts said the town would not borrow funds from a resident, Robinson said her point was more to motivate the board to get the pavilion project underway.

Resident Paul Coughlin also supported the project saying "this is the kind of thing that we should just do."

"We should stop delaying it. Stop thinking about it. It's an obvious win for all of us," he said. "I like the idea that we're a town that can say this is so obviously good, we have people standing up to say let's give money, so we should just do it. I love the fact that you guys have such an honest discussion. We're so close to this now, let's just do it."